Adedokun Waliyu 
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his readiness to work with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to strengthen and maintain long-term, stable relations between the two neighbouring countries, according to North Korea’s state media.
The message follows Xi’s rare state visit to North Korea last month, during which both leaders agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea’s expanding military ties with Russia.
In a letter dated July 1, Xi thanked Kim for congratulating him on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Xi said Kim’s message reflected the close friendship between the two countries and their ruling parties.
Xi described the Communist Party of China and North Korea’s Workers’ Party as Marxist ruling parties that have worked together for generations in pursuing national independence and advancing socialism.
He said he was prepared to guide both countries in fully implementing the agreements reached during their recent summit and to promote the long-term, sound and stable development of China-North Korea relations.
Xi also expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality he received during his visit to Pyongyang.
In his earlier message, Kim Jong Un described the summit as a historic occasion and reaffirmed North Korea’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with China.
Although North Korea has significantly expanded its military cooperation with Russia by sending troops and weapons to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine, China remains its largest economic partner. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, China accounted for nearly 98 percent of North Korea’s foreign trade in 2024.
The latest exchange of messages highlights the continued importance of the longstanding political, economic and strategic partnership between Beijing and Pyongyang despite changing regional security dynamics.
